Ohio

I am a gay former Ohioan who gave up in '92 and moved to Chicago. Not just because how impossible it had become to live there in any meaningful way, but also because of career opportunities. I tried, I really did. I did public speaking, community outreach, etc. It just got to be too much for me as a 25 year old gay man in the middle of the AIDS epidemic. I visited Chicago, and found out I could actually live in a place that didn't just put up with me, but treated me like a worthwhile human being. I have been here in the city ever since. Chicago is now my home, having spent more years of my life here now than in Ohio.

Over the years, I thought things in Ohio were moving in a better direction, but after Trump, it seemed to backslide again. My brother lives in Columbus, which is a great oasis, but my parents still live in a rural area. Obviously, I go home to visit a few times a year. It has greatly disturbed me to see what happened in Ohio after Trump won, and even worse to see what happened after he lost. I have to confess, I have felt afraid more than a few times when I go back to visit.

My brother and I keep in close contact and discuss all the current issues in the state. He and I are on the same page, while our parents are more in a grey area politically. We were both so happy when Ohioans voted down the 60% initiative for amending the constitution. We both breathed a huge sigh of relief. And it gave us so much hope, especially when states like Texas and Florida are doing such horrible things.

We still feel that Ohio is winnable. I truly believe that Ohio will vote to protect abortion rights next month.

Seeing you post this now, makes me feel even better. There are a lot of good people in Ohio, and I am so glad that you are standing up and fighting. My brother and I are on your side. I will forward this to my brother. Please know that we are fighting along with you!

Thank you again for posting this! You have no idea how much efforts like this mean to us!